Shillong, Sept 29: Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, S P Singh Baghel, on Wednesday said he is happy to know that in comparison to few other states of the country, the rate of crime in Meghalaya is low. Additionally, he remarked that it is very satisfying to learn that there have been no cases related to dowry in this state.

“Overall this is a peaceful state, where the common man has no relation with crime and the criminals,” he told reporters after interacting with the Meghalaya State Legal Service Authority and the Bar Council in Shillong during his visit to the state on Wednesday.

He also reviewed progress of the construction of Court Rooms, which are being funded in Centre – State ratio of 60:40 where 40% is the share of State government, and the percentage of utilisation of the funds.

Section 156(3) of Cr.P.C

While referring to the response of the judicial system to crimes, the Minister said that he is shockingly amused to learn that there has been no case of police denying to register an FIR of an aggrieved person and as such there has been no use 156 (3) of the Cr.P.C.

In State like Uttar Pradesh and other North Indian states there have been many cases where people have to approach the Court to get their complaints registered. He explained, “A police officer is bound to investigate any cognizable case, when information is received by him. But if the police refuse to investigate any cognizable case then the aggrieved person has got a remedy to approach the Magistrate under Section 156 (3) of the Cr.P.C. and further the Magistrate under this provision has been empowered to pass an order for investigation in the case where a cognizable offence was committed”.

Narcotics in Meghalaya

The Minister however said that there has been cases related to Narcotics in the state and it is the need of the hour that the Forensic Science Labs are well equipped in the state so the labs can generate their results swiftly. This way the rate of conviction will be higher and the innocents will be acquitted without waste of valuabe time, he added.

Modi govt sensitive to crimes against women, children 

The Minister also said that the present government under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been very sensitive towards the crime committed against Women and child and the government has been committed for providing them fast track assistance to reduce their suffering. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 has been very helpful in addressing crimes against minors and when supplemented by scientific evidence there has been instances where criminals have been awarded life imprisonment as early as within a matter of four days, he added.

When asked about the delay in delivering justice, the minister opined that unanimous and cumulative efforts by all is the need of the hour so as to reduce the time taken for pronouncing a judgement by the Hon’ble Courts.